Should I keep or remove this bar counter?

[brettoski]

Late 80's style house complete with a bar counter in the lounge room, single brick base with laminated counter top, alcove area itself is 1800 x 950.

First question is I'd like opinions on whether to keep it or remove it?

I'm leaning towards removing it as part of a much needed lounge and dining area renovation, seems a bit outdated?

The arch though I'm happy to keep, idea no matter what the purpose is a feature colour of sorts, maybe even colour drenched.

Follow up query assuming it is removed is how best to re-purpose this area?

- Blank canvas for now

- Remain as a bar but with a built in unit along the rear wall

- Study nook / home office area

- Shelving with view to be a book / library area

- Something I haven't thought of

If I'm wrong on removing it, how do I modernise it? 

Thanks in advance.

[EricL]

Hello @brettoski 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about removing your bar counter.

I vote removing it as it is taking up a lot of space and is no longer useful. Your proposal of turning it into a study nook, home office area or shelving with a view to be a library area is a more practical use of the space. All of your extra media, collections and souvenirs can be placed in this area with shelving. If the location is not out of place a small home office would look great in there. 

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1, @Nailbag, @AlanM52 and @Noyade for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Nailbag]

Hi @brettoski 

It’s all completely personal taste and what’s most important for utilising that space?

But if I had to make a choice then the first thing to go would be the arch’s regardless of purpose. If your entertainers then revamp the bar. If not, then a study nook sounds like a great idea. 

nailbag

[AlanM52]

Hi @brettoski,

I would remove the bar and follow your thoughts:

Study nook / home office area

With desk / chair and shelving for whatever you choose.

Wondering: @Nailbag mentions the word 'arch’s' but I think the one on the right is a corridor or another area.

Cheers

[Nailbag]

Good pick up but yes @AlanM52 & @brettoski I did mean to remove both arch's to mainly modernise and for consistency. 

If making it a bar again, I would leave a short bulk head over the actual bar for downlight or to fit a suspending cabinet from. You could cover the brickwork with VJ panelling. 

If making it a study, take thew arch to a short bulk head or flush to the ceiling and I would take the corridor arch flush to the ceiling.

Nailbag

[Dave-1]

Good Morning @brettoski 

It comes down to what you want the area to look like. Its your place so you get to pick and choose ideas, its what makes it your own.

I would remove the bar when you decide to remove the carpet. Otherwise I think you will end up with an emtpy patch.

I with @Nailbag in removing the arches, make them square/straight and it will lift the area right out of the 80's

I can see a hall way on the right? If you remove the bar and then installed a door in that alcove you could potentially replace the arch on the right with a wall depending on what you want for the room itself. (Keep in mind airflow for this idea)

Its a great projecta and the returns on how the room will change are high for the effort involved Please take pics when you do it.

Dave

[Jason]

Let me also extend a very warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @brettoski.

I would recommend you check out the Bunnings Make It Happen series in which the team transforms a suburban 80s-era home. It seems like your home is similar so you should get some great ideas from it. The team had the same challenge about whether to remove or keep the many arches in the home.

Hope you find it helpful and inspiring.

Jason